See the snow pile up at Tahoe ski resorts over 24 hours

Weather systems passing through Northern California are bringing multiple snowstorms to the Sierra through Saturday with snow totals of 5 feet or more in some areas south of Tahoe.
By

Up Next

Weather systems passing through Northern California are bringing multiple snowstorms to the Sierra through Saturday with snow totals of 5 feet or more in some areas south of Tahoe.
By

While showers have been light Tuesday and Wednesday in Sacramento, blankets of snow are falling in the mountains once again.

Four weather systems passing through Northern California are bringing multiple snowstorms to the Sierra through Saturday, with National Weather Service and Caltrans officials warning that snow totals of 5 feet or more in some areas south of Tahoe could seriously affect travel.

NWS has issued a winter storm warning, effective 10 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Friday, with as much as 3 or 4 feet of localized snowfall possible both north and south of Lake Tahoe in that span. An additional foot 8 to 12 inches is forecast to fall Friday night through Saturday in South Lake Tahoe, forecasts show.

Caltrans announced that seasonal closures of Ebbetts, Monitor and Sonora passes went into effect Wednesday morning. Ebbetts Pass (on Highway 4), Monitor Pass (Highway 89) and Sonora Pass (Highway 108) will be closed for the rest of winter.

Explore where you live.

Both storms will hit hardest in Mono and Alpine counties, according to an NWS forecast synopsis.

NWS Sacramento tweeted that travel conditions will “quickly become poor” Wednesday night. Chain controls went into effect on snowy parts of Highway 50 for about a two-hour period Wednesday morning.

All of this comes just a week after another winter storm hit around Thanksgiving, bringing snow to the Sierra region and chain controls on Highway 50 near the summit.

Caltrans reminded drivers that the speed limit is 25 mph on Highway 50 when chain controls are in place.

As for Sacramento, forecasts call for showers Wednesday evening through Friday morning, followed by heavier rain possible Friday and Saturday, with highs in the mid-50s all week. The rain is predicted to clear out by Sunday.

A wind advisory is also in place for Wednesday night, with gusts as high as 30 mph possible, NWS said. Thunderstorms are also possible Wednesday.

California drivers can check travel conditions in the mountains and elsewhere at quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

Drivers are also urged to double-check tires, batteries, brakes and chains before heading to the mountains, and to keep emergency supply kits, including food and water, in their vehicles as a precaution.

Multiple winter storms are still on track to bring significant snowfall to the Sierra through Saturday. As much as 5 feet of snow along the Sierra crest south of Tahoe can be expected, with locally higher amounts. Significant travel impacts can be expected as well. #CAWx#NVWxpic.twitter.com/5aavaatbEp

A series of storms will bring several rounds of rain and snow to the Sierra with mainly rain for western Nevada valleys. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10p Wed - 4a Fri. For more details please see the latest Winter Storm Warning product here: https://t.co/arBQkNQrizpic.twitter.com/ETjaxINMBa

This week will start out dry as high pressure moves over the region. Lighter precipitation Tuesday/Wednesday will be followed by a stronger system Thursday and Friday with lower snow levels and mountain pass snow. #cawxpic.twitter.com/I5AkY0Gtgb

Read Next

Cal Fire announced a red flag warning Wednesday afternoon, warning that hazardous lightning conditions in Northern California posed a risk that could lead to wildfires in the region through Thursday morning.